Trying again.. Hi and help for a Newbie please

Hello,

For some reason, my first post has corrupted, so I'm trying again!

I wanted to introduce myself as I'm new to the forums. I'm Lisa and I live in Hertfordshire. I have a fairly compact garden with a lawn for the kids and some nice largish borders for me to potter in! I'd describe myself as a novice gardener with big aspirations - lol! I'm looking forward to getting to know you all a bit better and taking complete advantage of your expertise! Of course, I will try and reciprocate where I can, but I know very little or value although I am always happy to chat... ho-hum!

I've been busy reading the threads while watching the Royal Wedding today (sorry!) and I wondered if I could ask a few general questions. I know you guys seem to like photo's so I've posted some below.

First, I have planted a Boston Ivy (parthenocissus tricuspidata Lowii) which I managed to get at a knock down price. The label tells me is will grow to 10m in 10 years, which is ok as I've planted it to cover a fence and it has the room to grow. However, I'm a bit nervous. Does anyone have any experience of growing this who could tell me whether its likely to take over the world, beginning with my garden?!

Second, I have a Kilmarnock Willow shrub (again, bought for a knock down price... I like a bargain, can you tell?!) I've planted it and it looks great, but it was in a pot (obviously!) and it's branches almost touched the ground. Now its planted the branches actually do touch the ground. Should I cut them back a bit so they're not in contact with the soil? There's a picture here...


Third, This is my Clematis Allanah:


The label tells me I should 'Prune hard in early Spring' but please would someone explain what this actually means? Should I be cutting it back to ground level or just giving it a general haircut? And what months are 'early spring'? It's probably obvious but I'm worried about killing it off!

Fourth, Would you please suggest some tall plants I can put at the back of this gap:


The plant to the left of the picture is a large laurel and so the area I would like to fill gets very little sun and the surrounding soil is fairly dry. In fact, weeds don't even grow too well down there so I will improve the soil before anything goes in. Its a shame as this is the area of the garden that is the most visible from the kitchen window so it would be good to have some colour there if possible.

I think that really is quite enough from me now! Thank you very much in advance for your replies :-)

 

Hello, I am so sorry for bouncing this, but I think that my other post got corrupted. :-)

 

Hi Rose, I think I can offer a few tips here.

I have a Boston Ivy trained over a large pergola attached to the back of our house. They can be quite invasive, but are easily kept in check by trimming back 'little and often'.
Once it has filled its allotted space, simply trim off any new growth which goes beyond the area you want the plant to occupy. You will need to do this fairly regularly during the growing season, I normally prune mine about every 4 to 6 weeks from now until growth stops in the Autumn.

It is probably a good idea to prune the branches of your Kilmarnock Willow where they touch the ground. Most Willows will happily take root again where any branches are touching the ground, not sure if Kilmarnock Willow does this but I wouldn't take the chance!
Also, it will make weeding and leaf clearing around the tree a lot easier too!

I don't have too much experience with clematis, but I would interpret 'Prune hard in early Spring' as cutting off most of last year's growth in March or April.
I have known large, established clematis to happily withstand cutting right down to ground level but from your picture I'd say yours isn't quite ready for that yet!

A few suggestions for planting in the gap against your fence. To add colour, something with brightly coloured foliage to contrast with the plants either side of it would be best.
Try any of the following:
Aucuba Japonica (Spotted Laurel)
Euonymous fortunei 'Emerald 'N' Gold'
Elaeagnus pungens 'Maculata'
Lonicera nitida 'Baggesen's Gold'

Hope this is useful.

 

Hello Armandii and Trunky,

Trunky, thank you so much for your comments, they're really helpful Great news that the Boston Ivy is easy to keep confined, at the moment I don't have anything for it to climb up other than the fence panel. Should I put up some trellis?

I'll give the willow a trim tomorrow, mind you, it would be good to have some ready made rooted cuttings!

Thanks too for the clematis help, its a bit late to do anything with it now I guess, especially since it has some nice fat flower buds appearing. You can see from the picture its a bit bare at the bottom. I wonder if trimming it back will help it get a bit of cover at the bottom?

Brilliant suggestions for the gap too, thank you! I really like the Lonicera, it would look great in that gap.

You've been really helpful, thank you so much :-)

Lisa

 

Boston Ivy will usually cling to just about any surface which is not smooth, such as wood or brickwork, so I shouldn't think trellis will be needed.
A note of caution here though; if you're growing it against ordinary 'larch lap' fence panels such as those shown in your photos, the Boston Ivy will, in time, probably start to find its way through the tiny gaps in the fence panel and attempt to cover both sides of the fence. This may or may not be a problem, depending on who or what is on the other side.

Glad you like the look of the Lonicera. You say in your opening post that the area gets very little sun due to the shading from the nearby Laurel.
With Lonicera 'Baggesen's Gold' the intensity of the leaf colour does depend on the amount of light the plant receives. If grown in full sun, the foliage is almost bright yellow; although it will happily grow in the shade, you will find the colour more pale green than yellow in this situation.
Laurel is usually quite tolerant of being pruned or cut back, so I'd consider pruning it to allow more sunlight to reach the Lonicera if possible.

 

Thanks again Trunky. I am sure my neighbours won't mind if the Ivy makes it through the fence panel. They are not really gardening types and when I've talked to them before to let them know I am reducing the height of the bamboo or laurel or clipping back their plants which over-hang my fence, they've always been happy for me to just get on with it. I'll mention it to them next time I see them though.

I googled the Lonicera and saw that it would likely be more brightly coloured in full sun. Even if it just makes it to a pale-ish green, it will still brighten up the shady area so I'm happy with that!

Funny that you should mention trimming back the laurel, that's exactly what I did earlier today! There won't be much more sun down there however as that whole area is North facing and never gets the sun at any time of the day. However, cutting back the laurel will hopefully allow a bit more rain to reach the soil, so it won't be quite so dry.

Thanks again so much for your help